Lewis Hamilton holds ‘concrete talks’ with manufacturer battling €3 billion debt….read more.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, has reportedly engaged in “concrete discussions” with KTM, the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer currently battling a staggering €3 billion debt. The company, which has participated in the MotoGP series since 2017, is struggling financially and actively exploring partnerships and investments to ensure its survival and continued participation in the 2025 MotoGP season. KTM’s motorsport director, Pit Beirer, confirmed the talks, revealing that discussions with Hamilton’s management have taken place and that the manufacturer is open to various forms of collaboration, including potential investments.
KTM’s financial difficulties have prompted the company to seek new sponsors, investors, and partners as it tries to secure its future in the highly competitive world of MotoGP. Lewis Hamilton’s interest in the sport is not new, and his passion for motorcycles and motorsport beyond Formula 1 has long been known. Given his immense wealth and status in the motorsports world, Hamilton’s potential involvement in KTM has generated considerable attention. Beirer stated, “We have had very interesting discussions with his management,” and further confirmed that there is genuine interest from Hamilton in having his own MotoGP team. The situation has made KTM more open and creative in considering different kinds of collaborations beyond the typical sponsorship deals they have traditionally pursued.
While no formal deal has been made, Hamilton’s interest is seen as a possible lifeline for KTM, which faces increasing financial pressure. The manufacturer’s current financial state has created an urgent need for a partner that could provide both financial backing and strategic direction. The idea of Hamilton joining forces with KTM would represent a significant shift for the company, but it is also part of a broader effort to strengthen MotoGP’s relationship with Formula 1.
However, any potential deal between Hamilton and KTM would have to navigate the company’s strong ties with the Red Bull brand, which has been a major sponsor of KTM since its entry into MotoGP. Beirer stressed that any investor or partner would need to work closely with Red Bull, as the two brands are seen as inseparable in the motorsport world. This partnership could potentially create a complex dynamic, particularly given Hamilton’s history with Red Bull in Formula 1. In 2021, Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen were involved in a bitter title battle, culminating in Verstappen’s controversial victory that ended Hamilton’s dominance of the sport. Despite this rivalry, Beirer has indicated that the current discussions with Hamilton have not been hindered by past tensions between Hamilton and Red Bull, and the collaboration appears to be moving forward without complications.
Hamilton’s interest in entering the MotoGP world, either as an investor or as a team owner, is a significant development for both the sport and KTM. His involvement would not only bring financial stability to the Austrian manufacturer but could also bring a new wave of fans and increased attention to MotoGP, strengthening the link between the worlds of Formula 1 and MotoGP. This partnership, if it materializes, could be seen as a major step forward in Hamilton’s motorsports career, marking his potential transition from Formula 1 to the world of motorcycle racing.
In a related development, Liberty Media, the parent company of Formula 1, recently made a move to further integrate F1 and MotoGP. Liberty Media agreed to purchase an 86 percent stake in MotoGP’s rights holder, Dorna Sports, for a whopping €4.2 billion. However, this acquisition has hit a snag, as the European Union has launched a formal investigation into the deal due to potential anti-competition concerns. Despite this, Liberty Media remains confident that the transaction will be approved, emphasizing the benefits it would bring to MotoGP, its fans, and the motorcycle racing industry. The deal also underscores the growing crossover between F1 and MotoGP, with the two sports increasingly being seen as complementary rather than separate entities.
The ongoing investigation into Liberty Media’s purchase has extended the deadline for completing the deal to June 30, 2025, signaling that the relationship between F1 and MotoGP will continue to evolve over the coming years. Hamilton’s potential involvement with KTM could further cement this growing link between the two motorsports series, bringing new energy and investment into MotoGP at a critical time in its development.
As KTM continues to battle its financial crisis, the possibility of a partnership with Hamilton could signal a new chapter for both the manufacturer and the sport. Whether as an investor or a team owner, Hamilton’s entry into MotoGP would represent a landmark moment in the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the worlds of Formula 1 and MotoGP.
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